Aperture cleaning means for fluid distributing apparatus



Dec. 2, 1941.

R. P. FRYE 2,264,969 PERTURE CLEANING MEANS FOR FLUID DISTRIBUTING ArPARATUs- Filed Sept. 15, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l mh! WNW Fm@ n TOQLEXS 2De.2,1941.- N RP. FRYE 2,264,969

APEHTURE `CLEANING MEANS FOR FLUID DISTRIBUTAING APPARATUS Filed sept.' 15, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 2 @ag/mond X9. @ya 1% pw' MM' Mba-Luz A C/IT-romy Patented Dec. 2, 1941 ABEMURE CLEANING MEA-Ns EORFLUID DISTRIBUTING. APlsAItA'rUsy Ray-mond; Pt Frye, Chicagogilll'. Application September 15, 1939 Serial No. 295,(l8`5 6? Claims.

The invention relates to aperture cleaning meansY foriluid distributing apparatus and more particularly has reference to means -for cleaning the drop discharging. apertures of fluid distributing apparatus-of the type disclosed in the copending application of Lucien. I. Yeomans, Serial No. 295,030, led September 1.5, 1939.

In the apparatus disclosed in the Yeomans application, uid is distributed uniformly and in accurately measured quantity by means which includes a plurality of apertures, the size of which is one of the factors inthe determination and control of the quantity of distributed iiuid. More particularly, the aggregate quantity of fiuid discharged from the machine is measured as a multiple of the quantity of iiuid contained in each one of a number of drops. It is important for the sake of accuracy and uniformity that all of the drops contain a like quantity of fluid and the size of the discharge apertures is one of the factors that determines the quantityV of fluid in the drops; Among the several uses. to which rthe Yeomans apparatus may be put is the distribution of paint or other marking material to lumps of coal. Such fluid', and other fluids of similar character, tend sooner or later to clog the apertures, thus reducing their effective size and making it impossible accurately to calculate the quantity of fluid discharged fromV the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple elective means for cleaning the apertures and dislodging any particles of material which may have accumulated therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved aperture cleaning means of this character which is operatively associated with the distributing apparatus and normally ccupies an out-of-the-way position thereon and is movable at the control of the operator from its out-of-theeway position to perform its aperture cleaning operation and then return to its normal position.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a somewhat fragmentary view partially in longitudinal section of a distributing apparatus and an associated aperture cleaning means embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the apparatus and is taken .substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional .Views through the apparatus taken along the line 3--3 of Fig.. 1,. and illustrate: respectively two different. operative positions of the cleaning means.

While the invention is susceptible of Various modifications. and alternative constructions, I have shown. in the drawings andv will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment.. but it is to be understood that. I do not thereby intendi to limit theA invention` to the specificy form. disclosed, bui-...intend to cover all modifications and alternative,constructions falling within. the spiritr and scope. of the invention as expressed in the. appended claims.

SinceY an exemplary form of apparatus embodying Athe present invention has .been shown in association `with the fluid distributing` apparatus fully illustrated and described in the Yeomans application aforesaid', it is believed that only a brief description of suchajpparatus" is here necessary. Thus, with reference tov Fig. 1, the apparatus includes a dispensing tube i0 of substantial diameter and desired length secured atA each end to a bracket Il. The brackets areI arranged operatively to associate the apparatus with some part or mechanism containing; or presenting the material toY be treated. Fory example, the part may be the frame of an endless conveyer.

Thelower portiony of the tube has one or more series of longitudinally alined discharge apertures i12 therein. With-in the tube is a cylindrical member or roll l3 supported on a sha-ft Ylll' Vfor rotation therewith. Theroll is preferably formed of rubber or' like material, is of smaller external diameter than the. internal diameter ofthe tube, and is so relatedv to the tube: that' the roll has a wiping engagement with the tube along: the longitudinali line: of the apertures lf2. Peripheral contact .between the roll and tube along th-isv line will close vthe apertures and prevent the escape of iluid therethrough.v The roll, however, is provided with. a circumferentially uniformly spaced series of longitudinalily extending grooves l5: which. open. at each endl of the roll into fluid chambers i6 Within the tube and brackets Il'. The fluid to be distributed is delivered' tothe tube under suitable pressure (which may be variably adjustedlthrough a distributing system which includes. an inlet conduit lil' leading to a chamber l5y at one end of the roll, a returnconduit -ISS- leadingback to the system. from the chamber It at the oppositepend of the roll,l and av drainage.

conduit l-9.

When theroll is driventhroughf suitable means indicated generally `at 20, the grooves: |.5 successively open .the v.apertures 1.2,..and a drop-of material will be discharged from each f. aperture.

The quantity of fluid in each drop so discharged depends on several factors, among which are the speed of roll rotation, the pressure on the fluid to be distributed, and the area of each aperture I2. According to the present invention, means is provided for removing accumulations of material in or about the apertures I 2 to maintain constant the area which is a basic factor in the calculations determining machine operation.

At each end of the tube beyond the end apertures therein is a collar 2| preferably comprised of two semi-circular sections secured together as by bolts 22. An upwardly extending ear 23 is formed on each top section and the ears provide bearings for the ends of a transversely extending rock shaft 24. An actuating arm 25 (Figs. 1 and 2) is pinned, as at 26, to the rock shaft and the swinging end of the arm is pivoted between the bifurcated ends of a reciprocable rod 21 by which the shaft is rocked. Such means as a hydraulic or pressure fluid actuated piston. operable in the cylinder 28, may be employed to drive the reciprocating rod. The system for supplying pressure fluid to the cylinder is not shown since any conventional system, conveniently controllable by the operator, may be used.

The aperture cleaning means is supported from the rock shaft 24 normally in a retracted outof-the-way position with respect to the apertures and is connected with the rock shaft in the present instance by means which, upon movement of the rock shaft in one direction, advances the cleaning means from its retracted position into alinement with the apertures and then moves the cleaning means into and through the apertures. As may best be seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the cleaning means includes a generally U-shaped frame comprised of a base bar 29 and end supports 30 arranged in assembly to be disposed immediately adjacent to the inner sides of the ears 23.

The base bar is an angularly shaped member having a substantially vertical leg through which'the member is secured to the end supports with the other leg disposed adjacent to the tube and projecting generally horizontally away from the end supports. The horizontal leg carries a series of pins 3| having the same alinement and spacing as the apertures l2, and dimensioned to fit the apertures snugly yet slidably. Each end support, as shown in Fig. 3, beyond the base bar has an arcuate section designated 32 arranged to extend substantially half-way around the tube I and terminating at its other end in an outward extension 33. Each extension has a boss 34 defining a bore 35 for the rock shaft 24. The bores 35 are elongated in a direction which parallels the axes of the apertures 2. Above the bosses 34, each extension 33 has a second boss 35 provided with an elongated slot 31 extending substantially at right angles to the line of elongation of the associated bore 35. The actuating connections between the rock shaft and the end supports 3|] as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, include arms 38 pinned as at 39 to the rock shaft and having outwardly extending pins 4U at their swinging ends engageable within the slots 31. A return spring 4| is -connected to a pin 42 on an extension 33 and to a stationary part, such as the member 43 on the bracket 2|.

The operation of the device will best be understood by consecutive consideration of Figs. 2, 3 and 4, which illustrate respectively the position of the parts when retracted, when advanced to move the cleaning pins into alinement with the apertures 2, and when the cleaning pins are moved into the apertures. In the relationship of the parts shown in Fig. 2, the frame of the cleaning means hangs from the rock shaft 24 and is swung to a retracted position by the engagement of the pins 40 with the ends of the elongated apertures 3l that advance when the cleaning means swings to its retracted position. It will be noted that in this position of the parts, the arms 38 are located beyond the line of elongation of the bores 35 so that initial movement of the rock shaft in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, produces a swinging movement of the frame toward the tube Ill about the rock shaft as an axis to displose the cleaning pins in axial alinement with the bore. This position is determined by the engagement of the vertical leg of the base bar 29 with stop lugs 44 on projections 45 formed cn and depending from the lower sections of the collars 2| During the swinging movement of n the frame, the pins 40 move only slightly along the lengths of the elongated apertures 31 and the frame is suspended from the rock shaft 24.

Upon engagement of the frame with the stop lugs 44, continued movement of the rock shaft causes the pins 40 to travel along the apertures 37 and exert a camming action which shifts the frame upwardly against the tension of the spring 4|. The upward shifting movement is guided at the top of the frame by the engagement be- M tween the rock shaft and the elongated bores 35. `v and at the bottom of the frame by the abutment between the base bar and the stop lugs 44. As

the frame shifts, the cleaning pins are moved toward and into the apertures thereby breaking away and removing all material which may have accumulated in or immediately adjacent to the apertures. When the rock shaft is moved in the opposite direction, the spring 4| and the carnming action of the pin 48 in the slot 31 first `moves the pins in a straight line direction to yclear the apertures and thereafter swings the frame to its retracted position.

It will be evident from the foregoing that a simple and effective means has been provided yfor cleaning the apertures of uid distributing apparatus. The device is comparatively inexpensive to construct and is simple and efficient in its operation. Moreover, it is instantly available for use and may be actuated without interfering n `with the operation of the distributor.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for cleaning the discharge means of distributing apparatus. the combination of cleaning means, a support for said cleaning means movable to dispose said cleaning means in a position of alinement with said discharge means and then into operative engagement With said discharge means, means for determining said position of alinement and for guiding the engaging movement of said cleaning means, and i5 means for moving said supporting means.

2. In a cleaning device for the discharge means of fluid distributing apparatus, the combination of a frame having cleaning means thereon arranged for operative association with said discharge means, a rock shaft, means for swingably supporting said frame from said rock shaft and for shifting movement transversely of the axis thereof, connecting means between said rock shaft and said frame including cam means for rst swinging said frame to aline said cleaning means With said discharge means and then shifting said frame to eiect engagement of said cleaning means with said discharge means, spring means acting on said frame in a return direction, and means for actuating said rock shaft.

3. In a device for cleaning a plurality of discharge apertures in a fluid distributing apparatus, the combination of a frame having a plurality of cleaning pins thereon arranged to enter and clean said discharge apertures, a rock shaft, means loosely supporting said frame, connecting means between said rock shaft and said frame including means for swinging said frame to aline said pins and apertures, and means for shifting said frame to move said pins into said apertures, and means for actuating said rock shaft.

4. In a cleaning device for the discharge means of iiuid distributing apparatus, the combination of a frame having cleaning means thereon arranged for operative association with said discharge means, a rock shaft, said frame having alined bearing apertures therein for said rock shaft, said apertures being enlarged to permit said frame to shift relative to said rock shaft, connecting means between said rock shaft and said frame for swinging said frame to aline said cleaning means with said discharge means, and cam means eiective when the parts are thus alined to shift said frame to effect engagement of said cleaning means with said discharge means, and means for actuating said rock shaft.

5. In a device for cleaning the discharge means of distributing apparatus, the combination of cleaning means for said discharge means, supporting means for said cleaning means, means for moving said supporting means to dispose said cleaning means in alinement with said discharge means, and means for moving said supporting means to carry said cleaning means into operative engagement with said discharge means.

6. In a device for cleaning the discharge means of distributing apparatus, the combination of means for cleaning said discharge means, a movable support for the cleaning means including means for guiding the movements thereof first to swing said cleaning means into alinement with said discharge means and then with a straight line movement into cleaning engagement with said discharge means, and means controlled by the operator for moving said cleaning means.

RAYMOND P. FRYE. 

